Ali-Akbar Dehkhoda (Tehran)

Ali-Akbar Dehkhoda (Tehran)

Ali-Akbar Dehkhoda was born in 1285 SH in Ghasem Ali Khan alley located in Sangelaj district. He is one of the great founders of modern prose style and famous scholars. He finished his education in Tehran and then, he traveled to Europe. After returning to Iran, Dehkhoda cooperated with Mirza Jahangir Khan and Ghasem Khan in publishing the Sur-e Esrafil newspaper. In addition to writing the basic articles and news and other subjects with his own signature in the 8th page of the newspaper, he also created some essays entitled as Nonsense or Fiddle-Faddle (in Persian: Charand Parand) with the Persian term of Dakho as his pen name.

They had a critical tone and due to their unprecedented specific style in the world of journalism, they were well appreciated. His writing style increased the numbers of Sur-e Esrafil newspaper and in a short time, it was considered as one of the unique ones and it was reprinted several times. After the bombing of National Consultative Assembly and martyrdom of Mirza Jahangir Khan, the newspaper was closed for a while, and Dehkhoda and five other liberalists were banished into exile in Europe. Dehkhoda spent some time in Switzerland and France during his exile. When Mohammad Ali Shah was deposed, he returned to the country and became a member of the new Majles as the representative of the people of Tehran and Kerman. In 1292 SH, the World War I began and liberals immigrated to Istanbul, Baghdad, and Berlin, he went to Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari by Bakhtiari people’s invitation and consultation. He has the initial thought of compiling Amsal ol-Hekam (Proverbs and Mottos) and a dictionary. He started taking notes for these two masterpieces in 1299 SH and he could publish Amsal ol-Hekam in four volumes in 1308 on Ministry of Culture behalf, and the first volume of Dehkhoda Dictionary.

When World War I was finished, he quitted political activities and began working in cultural domain during Pahlavi dynasty the first. He was the chief of Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Justice, and political school, and also, he was the head of the faculty of Law and Political Science since the establishment of University of Tehran in 1313 to 1320 SH. Following the verdict of National Council for publishing Dehkhoda Dictionary, he devoted all his time to write this valuable work.

Ali-Akbar Dehkhoda died in 7 Esfand 1134 SH in Tehran and he was buried in Ibn Babawayh cemetery, located in the city of Rey.